Chapter 36. The Promotion
After lunch, the four men returned to Bill's office, and Chief Inspector Lewis dismissed both Gabe and Bill. The rest of the interview was concerning the inspector position, and could be done one on one.
Nathan was nervous now, but took a deep breath. Chief Inspector Lewis took out a file and sat down facing him.
"Constable Grant, I've been sent to offer you a new Inspector position. It's a completely new post, one that Chief Superintendent Collins has recognized the need for, and is creating with you in mind." He stated. "According to your colleagues, you are the utmost authority in criminal and investigative tracking, in all of Alberta, and probably even in the nearby territories. Apparently, each time you are given a tracking mission, other Mounties quickly sign up to work with you. Any tracking assignments or details you lead, are easily filled by those wanting to learn from you. This has not go unnoticed."
Chief Inspector Lewis paused, and continued. "Commander Collins recognized the opportunity to use your expertise in tracking and aptitude for training others, to create an inspector position dedicated to instruction and training, in the area of Criminal and Investigative Tracking. He would like you to completely develop a new training program."
"The first assignment will be to update the NWMP Tracking Manual, which is more than 25 years old now. A lot of the provinces have changed, with so many new towns and settlements all over the region. He would like something new and updated that could be used all the way from B.C. to Manitoba."
"As part of the training program, he would like you to develop two major components. The first being a "classroom phase" to consist of instruction of the manual as well as theory, inside the classroom. The second component in practical field training, complete with drills and simulations."
"Commander Collins would leave your posting right here, and you can work out of Hope Valley. Trainees would be sent to you, the terrain surrounding Hope Valley is ideal for in the field simulations, and hands-on training."
Nathan was stunned. Collins wanted to create a position for him, an inspector position. And, he could stay in Hope Valley, and train other Mounties, which he enjoyed. He could develop the program himself, and run it right here. It was unbelievable.
Nathan asked, "What about my normal day-to-day Mountie duties?"
Chief Inspector Lewis answered, "We plan to post a second Mountie here in Hope Valley, to take care of the normal day to day duties. You would be expected to carry out your inspector duties, most of which are outlined here." He handed Nathan the file, opened to a document outlining his duties. "These are the details of the Inspector-Instructor position, as well as the other duties you would be expected to perform, when called upon. For example, for any incident in the area, we would call on you as reinforcement. We still want your expertise on investigations in the area, so we would still call on you to assist the local Mountie in ongoing investigations. You could also be called on to oversee prisoner transfers. And, don't worry, we would continue to honor your requirement that any overnight assignments be short in length."
Nathan asked, a little bit in shock, "So, rewrite the manual, develop the training program, and trainees come here to me, for training?"
"Exactly. Hope Valley is perfect for it, actually. It's remote, there is a variety of terrain, and plenty of ground to cover. It is ideal for such a program." Lewis explained.
Nathan asked, "Where would I hold classes?"
"Well, we need to talk to Bill to see if there is a room available in Hope Valley, suitable for a classroom. As well, you will need an office in which to work. It would be ideal if those two could be either combined into one, or attached to one another." Lewis stated.
"How many training sessions would he like throughout the year?" Nathan asked.
Lewis responded, "This program is important to Collins, a project he is very serious and ready to invest in. He wants to talk through all those details with you, himself. You will work directly with him to determine the length of each training session, how many can be held per year, class size, etc. The main thing you need to decide is whether or not this is a project and a promotion that you would like to take on."
Lewis remembered one more thing, "Also, Grant, if you accept this position, Chief Superintendent Collins would like to know if you have any recommendations or anyone in particular you would like us to consider, for your replacement here as Constable? He wants you to have a say-so in who replaces you, because you will work very closely with him. HQ would like a good working relationship between you, the new Constable, and Bill Avery. You three will likely be used often, in between your Training duties, for open and unsolved investigations in the area." Lewis paused and then continued, "All that to say, if you have anyone that comes to mind, anyone you would like to work with, please let me or Commander Collins know. There is no hurry, but we'd like you to think about that. Your input might make a difference to whom we offer the position."
Nathan could see himself in this new Inspector Instructor position. He would love every part of the training program. And, as an added bonus, he would likely have less travel, as the trainees would come to Hope Valley. Less danger also, as he would be working mostly in an office, classroom, or in the mountains nearby for the in-field training.
"When do you need my answer?" Nathan asked.
"You can let us know by telegram or call in to me or Collins at HQ, as soon as you have made your decision. Take a few days to think about it, but please get back to us within the week. Also, if you'd like to submit any names as recommendations for your replacement, please do so." Lewis explained.
Nathan looked at the document in his hand detailing the position, it's duties and responsibilities. It all sounded good, really good. He knew he needed one night to mull it over and talk it over with Allie and his mother. And, he needed to tell Julia.
Chief Inspector Lewis asked Nathan, "Do you have any more questions or need any more clarification on anything?"
Nathan didn't think so. It was a lot to take in, but clear. "No, sir."
"Ok, well, I'm going to head back to the Mountie office and finish working on the details of your interview this morning. You know where I'll be if you think of any more questions." He stated, and he stood and shook Nathan's hand firmly. He then gave Nathan the Mountie salute, which Nathan returned. And, Lewis exited Bill's office.
Nathan sat back down a minute and thought about everything he had just heard. He read over the list of duties one more time and smiled. He was excited about this. He also thought about who could replace him as Constable. Who would he like to come here and work with him? Who would be a good fit with he and Bill?
Bill and Gabe came back in and sat down with him. "How'd it go?" Bill asked.
"Very well. Commander Collins wants to create a new inspector position dedicated to training, specifically in tracking. He wants me for the position. And, I won't have to move. The trainees will come here to Hope Valley." Nathan stated. He passed Bill the paper and Gabe looked on, too.
Bill read it over and said, "Nathan, this seems tailor-made for you. And, a great opportunity for others to learn from your experience. Not to mention the fact that it will be good for Hope Valley. With the teams of trainees coming and going, this project will bring business to our little town."
Gabe piped in, "Nathan, it has a nice ring to it, Inspector-Instructor. You are the perfect candidate for developing this program, as well as training new guys. Is there anything holding you back?"
"No, I can actually see myself doing this. And it's a great opportunity." Nathan smiled, excited now. "And, they are going to post a second Mountie here, to replace me. So, I can focus on the new position." Nathan looked over at Gabe, "Any chance you'd consider moving, Gabe? They asked for a recommendation for my replacement."
Gabe smiled at the thought, but actually really liked his post in Brookfield. Not to mention that he liked being close to a certain orphanage in town. "I will have to pass, Nathan. I really like my post in Brookfield. But, thanks for asking. And I have to say, the prospect to work with the two of you is hard to turn down."
Nathan nodded, in complete understanding. If the inspector position would have been anywhere else but Hope Valley, he too would have turned it down.
Nathan looked at the time and realized he needed to be ready when Lee came to take him back home with the car. He really wanted to stop in and see Julia at the infirmary.
Nathan turned to Bill and put out his hand, "Bill, thank you for everything today. I really appreciate it."
Bill shook his hand and said, "It's my pleasure, Nathan."
Nathan looked over at Gabe and said, "I'll see you later, Gabe?"
Gabe nodded and said, "You bet, Nathan."
Nathan walked out of Bill's office towards the infirmary. When he walked in, he found Julia alone, sitting at the desk working on paperwork. She looked up but didn't seem herself. She seemed just a little bit on the somber side, when he entered.
She stood up as he approached, and offered him the seat next to her, though he didn't take it. He stayed standing, so she did too. "Nathan. Hi." She said.
Nathan smiled at her and said, "Hi, Jules. I just finished with the Chief Inspector." He knew she was worried that he would leave Hope Valley. That anxiety seemed to hang in the air.
Julia looked nervous, but she said with an even voice, "How did it go?"
"I got offered a very interesting inspector position, as an instructor." He paused, but then smiled, trying to reassure her, "The post is in Hope Valley."
"Hope Valley?" She asked, "So, you don't have to move?"
He shook his head no, and said, "I'm not going anywhere, Jules."
She looked so relieved, she swallowed hard and said, "I'm glad."
Nathan suddenly heard a car outside, and through the window, saw Lee's car pass the infirmary. She saw it too. He looked at her with his intense gaze. "That's my ride, Jules. I need to go."
She grinned even and said, "Ok. I can come around 5:00 p.m. for our house call and walk. Is that time okay?"
Nathan gave her his crooked smile and said quietly, "I can't wait." He stood and walked to the door. He looked back at her one more time, then walked to Bill's office to meet Lee.
Just before 5:00 p.m., Julia set out for Nathan's house. As she approached, she saw that he was sitting on his front steps waiting for her.
He watched her from a long way off and when she got close, he stood in greeting. Julia stopped in front of him, and he said, "Hi, Jules."
She seemed upbeat and so much lighter than earlier. He was happy to see her smile again. "Good afternoon, Nathan." She paused, and smiled, more confident now. "I was wondering if you would tell me more about how things went today?"
They sat down together and Nathan said, "Yes, I would love to. In the morning, Chief Inspector Lewis took my account of everything that happened on the tracking mission when we apprehended the Williams' gang. When and how I got injured."
"All related to your commendation?" Julia asked.
Nathan looked at her and said, "Yes. They asked lots of questions, and Bill recorded everything as legal witness."
"So, what happens now?" Julia asked.
"Lewis takes my account back to Chief Superintendent Collins at HQ. I'm assuming they also recorded the account of all five Mounties that were on that assignment with me. Remember, the guys you saw outside the Mountie office the morning we left?" Nathan told her.
"Yes, I remember." She said, quietly. How could she forget? That's the morning he came into the infirmary and kissed her on the forehead. She had butterflies in her stomach just thinking about that kiss. "After you were injured, on the morning they left Hope Valley, I talked to the two Mounties who brought you into the infirmary."
"That was Pendergrass and Davis." He stated.
Julia shared, "They had just come from seeing you at the infirmary, and they insisted that you saved their lives. They asked me to take good care of you." She smiled, remembering. "I didn't get their names but the dark-haired one knows Jake, he said they were good friends."
"That's Davis. He's a great guy." Nathan said.
"So, they take all those guys' testimony, and what happens after that?" Julia asked.
"I guess they decide if I get a commendation or not." Nathan shrugged, seeming to take it all so lightly.
"And, what about the inspector position?" Julia asked, wanting to know more.
Nathan looked excited as he explained, "Jules, I can't believe this offer. It's amazing. Commander Collins is creating a position for me, so that I can instruct and train other Mounties in criminal tracking. He wants me to set up a classroom here, and the training teams will come to Hope Valley. We will work theory, territory, and scenarios in the classroom, and then go out into the surrounding area, into the mountains, to work drills and simulations."
Julia was happy for him. It was perfectly within his wheel house, and the best news was that he could stay right here in Hope Valley. She knew he wanted that, for Allie. "Nathan, this is so perfect for you. Jake said there are a lot of guys who fight hard to get on your details, they all want to learn from you."
Nathan hadn't realized Jake had shared that with her. "They will post a new Mountie here in Hope Valley, to replace me as Constable. So, I can focus on my inspector instructor duties." He paused, happy about that part. "Jules, it will mean less overnights for me, which I'm happy about for Allie's sake." He paused and looked at his hand. "I will still be assigned to prisoner transports, and they will call on me for investigations and as reinforcement for the new Mountie. But, I will mostly be acting as instructor."
Julia smiled timidly and asked quietly, "So less risk of danger?"
Nathan smiled at her supposition. Even if she had never let him see, she had perhaps at one time or another, been worried about him. "Yes, I think so. Less chance of getting injured. Most of my time will be spent on the training program. Far from criminals and cabins that explode."
At that, she gave him a happy smile, and said, "I like that idea." He took her hand then, unable to resist when he saw her relief that he would be just a little bit safer.
Nathan added, with a little flirtatious smile, "And less time away from you."
She said quietly, "I like that, too." He held her hand in both of his, and looked at her so intensely, she felt her heartbeat quicken.
Nathan asked her, "Shall we walk?"
"Yes, we should." They both stood, but he didn't let go of her hand. She asked him, "You've had a lot of activity already today, how are you feeling?"
"Good, Jules. I feel good." He said, though she was sure his answer wasn't only about how he felt physically. He asked her, "How far shall we go?"
She looked down the lane, and then back at him. "You've already walked a bit in town. Maybe we should just go to the Canfield's and back."
"You don't think I can go all the way down?" Nathan asked her.
"It's not that. I'm just worried you will make yourself sore again." She responded.
"I don't want that either, but at the same time, I don't want to slow down my progress." He replied.
Julia nodded as if she understood, but still told him, "Well, if you over-do it and are too sore afterwards, you won't make any progress at all."
He looked at her and asked, "Can we compromise, and make it 6 houses down? And, no support, just me holding your hand?"
Julia titled her head and said, "Ok, Lawman. I'll agree to 6 houses down. But, only if you agree to apply the balm when we get back."
"You have yourself a deal, Jules." Nathan smiled at her.
He seemed to walk just fine without support. Though, she didn't let go of his hand, and stayed close to him.
He looked over at her as they walked and said, "When I saw you earlier in the infirmary, you seemed worried."
Julia knew she couldn't keep anything from him, so she was honest. "I was."
Nathan asked her, "You thought I would leave?"
Julia looked down at the ground in front of them, "I thought it was a possibility if the posting was too good to turn down." She paused and then looked over at him, "I know you deserve a higher post and are capable of more. And, it was just a matter of time until someone realized it."
He stopped then and turned towards her, still holding her hand. "I was resolute, Jules. I wouldn't have agreed to any posting that wasn't in Hope Valley."
"Because of me?" Julia asked.
"Not just because of you. But, yes, you are part of the reason." Nathan said.
Julia looked towards town, and then back at him, her brow furrowed. "In good conscious, I would never be able to hold you back." She paused and swallowed hard. "As much as I would have wanted to ask you to stay, I wouldn't have. And, I don't think Allie would have either. You deserve every good think that comes your way, Nathan."
"Jules, it's not about deserving. It's about wanting. And, I don't want to leave Hope Valley. I want to stay here, with you, and see where this goes. And, I want to stay here with Allie and see her grow up surrounded by the community here." He said, and he added, "And, if Allie and I ever do decide to move…it won't be without you." As he said that last part, his eyes were fixed on hers. He stepped forward, cupped her face in his hands, and looked at her along moment. He placed a feather light kiss on her forehead. It was so long and so intense, she didn't breath or move. When he his soft lips lingered on her forehead, her eyelids closed as she enjoyed his nearness, and the butterflies that went all the way to the ends of her fingertips. His arms came around her and she laid her cheek in it's perfect place, right next to the pulse racing in his neck. She could feel their hearts both racing, but racing in sync with one another. Her arms came firm around him and she let her hands roam up his strong back until they found their place. She felt him sigh long, and she did too.
When they finally pulled back from each other, they slowly continued the walk towards town. He still had ahold of her hand, and they went almost all the way down. As they were just about to turn around, Gabriel came around the buildings of town and started walking towards them. He smiled when he saw them, and they took their time turning around so he could catch up.
"Hi, Gabe." Nathan called out as he fell in step beside them.
"Hello, Gabriel," Julia stated as she walked slow with Nathan.
"Hello you two," Gabe answered back. "How's the patient doing?"
Julia smiled playfully, "Well, as you can see he's training for a new speed record in the wild world of competitive walking."
Gabriel cracked up at her witty little joke, since Nathan didn't seem to mind. "And, I can see he's really going to make a run for the money this year."
Julia smiled over at Gabe and giggled, "All my bets are on Nathan Grant."
Nathan responded, looking forward toward home. "Haha, you two, very funny. Sorry if I'm too slow for you. I have cracked ribs here, remember?"
Gabe chimed in one more time, "He's always got an excuse, right Julia?" And, she nodded and giggled up at him.
He smiled down at her, and didn't let go of her support. They were nearly there and he was ready to sit down. She realized he looked tired so she put an extra hand on his arm.
When they got to the steps of his house, Gabe helped him up from the other side. They entered and Julia helped him to the couch. It smelled wonderful inside, and Julia went over to get the balm he had promised to apply.
She brought it back over to him, and said, "Here you go, Cowboy. You promised." He nodded, and pulled his shirt up and rubbed some in.
Gabe sat with Nathan, and they talked about the day.
Julia went back to the kitchen to see if Rebecca needed any help. "Hello, Rebecca."
Rebecca smiled at her and answered, "Hi, Julia. How was your day?"
Julia swallowed and said, "Very good, now."
Rebecca looked at her and realized she must have been worried about something related to Nathan's inquiry. "Now?" Rebecca asked her, "You were worried?"
Julia looked down at her hands, deciding to be honest with Rebecca, "I was worried about where the inspector posting would be."
Rebecca nodded, understanding now. "You were afraid they would move."
Julia nodded, "Or that Nathan would've had to turn down another promotion to stay."
"He would have gladly done it." Rebecca stated.
"I know, but I wouldn't have wanted him to, on my account." Julia said plainly.
"Well, we don't have to think about that now, do we?" Rebecca stated, "Maybe that's the grace we've been offered for today. We don't even have to consider the what-if's, since it all worked out perfectly."
"That's a great way to look at it, Rebecca. Thanks for sharing that." Julia said, smiling and relieved. "Can I help with something?"
Rebecca pointed to the spoon next to the stove and asked, "Can you stir those green beans, please?" Julia picked up the spoon and gave them a good stir.
Rebecca opened the oven and Julia spotted a lovely roasted chicken with root vegetables scattered all around it. The smell was divine.
"Shall I set the table?" Julia asked.
Rebecca said, "Sure, that'd be great, Julia." Julia got to it, opening various cabinets until she found everything needed for the table.
She also set the water pitcher, bread basket, butter and salad on the table.
Allie came in the door at that moment. She walked right over to Nathan, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Then she said, "Hi, Uncle Gabe! So glad you are here again." And, she gave him a hug. "I was just in the livery visiting my horse. Did Dad tell you he and Grams got me a horse for my birthday?"
"No, I hadn't heard that yet, but I'm happy for you. With a Dad who's a Mountie, you need a horse of your own." Gabe looked at Nathan and smiled, then back at Allie. "What's her name?"
Allie smiled shyly and said, "I'm not sure yet. I've been trying out different names." She told him. "I've narrowed it down to Beauty and Daisy."
Gabe agreed, "Those are both good names, Allie. I'm sure you'll choose the right one."
Rebecca called from the kitchen, "Dinner's on." And the three walked to the table. When Allie saw Julia she came and greeted her with a hug.
Nathan sat at the head of the table, with Julia to his right and Allie on the other side of her. Gabe sat on his left, and Rebecca sat next to Gabe. When they were all seated, they held hands and Nathan blessed the food.
Rebecca started serving plates and passing them. When they all started to eat, Gabriel looked at Julia and asked, "How long have you been in Hope Valley, Julia?"
"It's been two months now. Though, it seems a lot longer." Julia stated.
"Only two months?" Allie asked. Julia nodded. "It does seem longer."
Gabe smiled, and asked, "So how did you and Nathan meet?"
Julia smiled and looked at Nathan. He responded faster than she. He simply smiled playfully, motioned towards Julia with the end of his fork and said, "she was running through flowers." Julia blushed and Allie giggled.
"Really?" Allie asked, she hadn't heard this story.
Julia couldn't deny it. "Yes, I really was." Julia smiled, remembering. "He caught me in one of the meadows that I love, running through the wildflowers."
"Allie, remember the one where you picked flowers for Julia to say thank you?" Nathan asked. "That's how I knew she'd like those flowers."
Allie answered, "Ah, I see. Yes, I remember the one." She looked at Julia, "That's a very beautiful place. I understand why you would want to run through those flowers. They practically beg you to run through them, right?"
"Exactly, Allie. That's what I was trying to tell your father when he caught me." Julia said, meeting his gaze and smiling at her little triumph. She wasn't the only one who felt flowers needed to be run through.
Nathan added, "Though, that wasn't the first time we spent time together."
"No, it wasn't." Julia piped in, "We were stuck together in a mountain cabin together for nearly 12 hours, watching over a patient after a medical emergency. That was the first time we spent more than 5 minutes together." Julia smiled, remembering.
"Julia was amazing taking care of Joseph." Nathan bragged.
"If I remember right, it was you who did most of the work. I just verified what you had already concluded. Oh, and I cleaned the wound a second time with the strong antiseptic I brought." Julia stated.
"That's true, you mostly took care of my horse." Nathan smiled coyly at her.
Julia laughed, "I made you some beans!"
"And, she fed me some beans." He said with a little shrug and his hands upturned, as he smiled over at Gabe.
"Gabe, we had to ride back down the mountain, on the same horse. Can you imagine the ladies of Hope Valley watching us ride into town together? My face was about as red as his serge, and we gave them a little too much to talk about. Can you imagine all the wagging tongues after that, about the new girl and the Constable? Molly nearly fell down the stairs of the café when she saw us." Julia giggled.
Nathan looked at Julia and laughed too. Then he stated, "But, you quoted Keats to me on that ride."
Julia looked across at Gabe to tell the story, "Yes, I did. And he, without missing a beat, responded with a quote from Emerson. You see, on the way down, we passed this amazing overlook. The sun was rising and I had never seen anything like it. I'm from the Atlantic coast, so I've seen plenty of breathtaking sunrises over the ocean. But, never over the mountains. There was a mist and a low hanging fog that was just starting to dissipate. And, the sky…it was unbelievable. There were so many different hues of reds, golds, and yellows, the colors were unlike anything I'd ever seen before. God was really showing off that day. And, it was only my second day." Julia said.
"All that excitement, and it was only your second day in Hope Valley?" Gabe asked.
"Actually, the accident happened on my second day, and the morning we rode back together was technically my third day." She clarified. "At that point, I had spent more time with Nathan than anyone else in Hope Valley."
Nathan smiled at her and then told more of the story. "After that, Julia asked me to give her riding lessons. Though, we only got one in before my injury."
Rebecca spoke up, "Oh, that's too bad. Allie and I could take you riding, and I could certainly give you another lesson, if you'd like, Julia. Until Nathan is cleared to ride again."
Allie chimed in, "Yea, Grams is the best. You should take at least one lesson with her."
Julia looked over at Rebecca and said, "I would love that, Rebecca. As long as my riding instructor doesn't object." Julia looked at Nathan as she said it.
"Mom is the best, Jules. You girls should go this Sunday." Nathan stated.
"My older brother, who is also a Mountie, came to visit about a month back. He took me riding as well. So, I've had two lessons now." Julia stated.
Gabe spoke up then, "Julia, your brother is a Mountie? Where?"
"He's posted west of Edmonton in a little town called Spruce Grove. His name is Jacob Matthews, though he goes by Jake. Have you ever met him?" Julia asked.
"That name doesn't ring a bell, though I have been through Edmonton before." Gabe stated. "That's a nice area."
Nathan interjected, "Jake trained at Fort Garry, 2 years before us." Gabe nodded.
Allie piped in, "Jake is really nice, and a funny storyteller. Gabe, you should have been here. He told Dad and I the funniest stories, mostly about Julia. She once took a huge frog to school in her lunchpail. And the lunchpail hopped all around the classroom!"
Julia laughed, "Jake has a way of exaggerating stories, but I'm sorry to say that one was pretty accurate. The teacher fainted and I got in a lot of trouble."
Nathan chimed in, "Gabe, I do have one warning about Julia. Don't ever play her in darts. She will hustle you out of your socks." He laughed as he finished his statement, and looked at Julia. "One of our friends, Fiona organized a social club and as part of it, a dart tournament. Jake and Julia won the whole thing. She played coy and then hit multiple bulls-eyes."
Julia giggled and said, "It's not like we bet any money. We didn't hustle anybody out of anything, Gabe, honest." And then she added, "And, Nathan, you weren't too bad yourself. I seem to remember you hitting one or two bulls-eyes?"
Gabe smiled and winked at Julia, "You just hustled him out of his dignity…maybe bruised his ego a little bit?"
Julia giggled again and looked over at Nathan and said, "Maybe. Though if I did, I didn't mean it."
Allie interjected, "Julia's also really good at cards, Gabe, so be careful if she pulls out a deck."
Gabe looked over at Julia and asked, with a little chuckle, "Did you grow up in a saloon?"
That brought a huge giggle out of Julia, "Not even close! I just grew up with a Dad and an older brother." Julia said, shrugging her shoulders. "They didn't teach me sewing and needlepoint." She finished with a giggle. "Instead I learned to catch frogs, throw a cast net, fish, and trap crabs. And, they liked to play darts and cards."
Nathan was trying to picture a young, lanky Julia catching crabs and fish, and thought it very endearing. Allie had been a tomboy when they had first come to Hope Valley, and in some ways still was. She still liked to go fishing, and he wouldn't ever stop taking her, as long as she agreed to go. No matter how old she got.
Nathan said, "Gabe, when Jake arrived in Hope Valley, I actually thought he was a suitor of Julia's."
Julia laughed, "No, you didn't."
"True story. I had no idea who he was, or that you had a brother." Nathan laughed.
Allie interjected, "So that's why you were chopping wood all afternoon that day, with that horrible sad face!" Allie looked at Julia and explained, "Dad does that when he gets jealous."
Julia looked serious for a moment and said, "I'm sorry, Nathan. I had no idea."
Nathan smiled, confident and cool, "Don't be sorry. We had just met and we didn't know very much about each other. And, back then, I was more prone to jump to conclusions, especially negative ones."
Gabe smiled, "Well, if that's changed some, I'm going to really like this new you, Nathan."
Nathan smiled at Gabe, "I don't think it's new, Gabe, I've just returned a bit to my old ways. Like before."
Gabe knew what he meant, and if it was true, Gabe was really happy about that. Nathan had been different before Colleen died. He was more positive and more hopeful. And, when he wasn't, Colleen had intervened and pushed him to be. If Julia was having the same effect on him, she was a good fit for sure.
Julia looked at Gabe and asked, "Gabe, we've all told some funny stories. Do you have any good ones to tell us? About Nathan or even you and him? Training mishaps, perhaps?"
Gabe looked at Nathan and thought for a minute. "Well, we did get lost on a training mission once. They put us into teams, and our navigator lost our compass on the first leg of the exercise. We were about 10 hours late for our first check-in. The team who won the challenge would be rewarded with a week-long pass for physical training. Basically, the team that won got to sleep in all week."
Nathan laughed at the memory. "We had some good guys on that team, but some lousy ones too. I could have left Dixon in the woods." He looked over at Allie and Julia as he explained, "Dixon was our navigator, the one who lost our compass the first 5 minutes of the first exercise."
Gabe continued, "Luckily, we had Christopher Columbus over here on our team, who started navigating using the constellations." Gabe said, as he pointed to Nathan. "We didn't win, but we avoided the embarrassment of them sending out a search party looking for us. We would have never lived it down had it come to that."
Nathan said, "And, when we passed through the next town, Gabe bought a compass, and we made up considerable time. We finished 3rd, only about an hour behind the winners."
Gabe got a mischievous look on his face, and said coyly, "I have more funny stories about Nathan, but they have to do with ladies. Maybe you guys don't want to hear those." He said as he crinkled his nose.
Allie, Julia, and Rebecca giggled loud, and Nathan blushed. Allie said, "Uncle Gabe, please! Just one!"
Gabe smiled at Nathan, and said, "Well, if you insist." He grinned at Nathan, who looked ready to run out the front door. "Maybe just one."
Allie sat back and clapped her hands, excited for another story.
Gabe started, "Well, in case you didn't know, Julia, Nathan used to get slightly tongue-tied around the ladies."
Julia shook her head and said, "No. Really?" She looked at Nathan who shrugged, "He's never been tongue-tied around me."
Nathan tried to defend himself, though he was laughing already. "That was a long time ago, Gabe. I was 18 or 19."
Gabe looked at her and said, "Well, let's just say, when he was younger he had a certain difficulty in this area." Gabriel looked at Nathan, who tried to figure out which story he was going to tell. "But, Nathan is a good-looking guy. So, back in Cape Fullerton there were quite a few young eligible ladies after him. One was the Commander's daughter. And, well, she was not very blessed in the looks department." Allie and Julia both giggled at Gabe's attempt to politely say she wasn't very pretty.
"But, this girl had a good friend, who was very pretty. Now, Nathan probably would have been able to talk to the ugly one just fine." Allie giggled and looked over at Nathan, "But, the Commander's daughter would send her pretty friend every time, to talk to Nathan, or pass messages to him. And, well, Nathan was never able to give a clear answer, at least not one that made any sense. Precisely because he was supposed to pass the message back, through that pretty friend." Nathan blushed again, and looked at Julia.
"The situation only enraged the Commander's daughter, who wanted a straight answer. But, she quite frankly wasn't going to get one, unless she talked to Nathan herself. Which she was too shy to do. So, she got upset and told some lie to her father who reprimanded Nathan." Gabe told them.
"I had to run 3 miles a day for a week, because of that girl." Nathan stated, laughing.
"But, in the end the truth came out. Her pretty friend had also decided she was in love with Nathan, even though he had never even spoken a single word to her. This created a fight between the two best friends, and I think one of them told on the other. That's how the Commander discovered the truth." Gabriel stated.
"He came and apologized to me. He was embarrassed about his daughter's behavior. But, then, do you know what he did? He actually asked me if I had any interest in his daughter. I think he was trying to get her married so she wouldn't cause him any more grief." Nathan laughed.
"Well, I'm not sure he'll have much luck. Not with her sour face and her abrasive, pushy personality." Gabriel said. "Of course, that was about 11 or 12 years ago. She might be married by now."
Rebecca stood and took out a peach cobbler that she and Allie made. She served everyone and started the water boiling for hot drinks. "Coffee or tea, anyone?" she asked.
Nathan and Gabe asked for coffee, so Rebecca set the coffee pot on the stove. She also put on the water kettle for herbal tea.
Julia looked at Gabe and asked, "Gabe, do you have a significant person in your life?"
Gabe looked at Nathan and smiled, "Yes, I do. Her name is Lilian and she runs the orphanage in Brookfield."
Allie piped in, "She and her sister and all the kids came to Hope Valley a few years ago. We had so much fun with them. She's really pretty, Julia. You would like her a lot."
Gabe added, "Though, we are taking it slow."
Nathan chuckled and looked at Julia, and said, "In "guy" language, that means he hasn't told her how he feels yet."
Gabe laughed and said, "Thanks for clarifying, Nathan. I'm pretty sure she already knows how I feel about her. I'm not a complicated guy to figure out."
Allie and Julia giggled. Rebecca came and passed around the hot drinks, and she piped in and said, "Well, you fellas are not always as clear as you think. You might be surprised, Gabe."
Nathan laughed and said, "Well, you gals aren't always crystal clear either." Julia giggled remembering how Nathan had thought she had been avoiding him, once. And, she had also thought the same thing about him, the week before her riding lesson. She decided it was better not to enter this discussion.
Julia and Allie smiled to each other and kept quiet. When Nathan looked at her, Julia smiled and focused on her herbal tea.
The conversation passed on to Gabe and his family, and how things were going in Brookfield. When the tea cups were finished, Julia realized the time. It was late, and she still had to walk back to town.
Gabe realized the time as well, and Julia noticed Nathan whisper something to Gabe. He piped up then and asked Julia, "I'm going to walk back to town soon, Julia. If you want to accompany me? I can make sure you get home safe?" Gabe asked her.
Julia smiled back and said, "That would be very kind of you, Gabe." She looked over at Nathan, knowing that the offer had been his doing. She liked that he looked out for her.
Julia helped carry things into the kitchen, until Rebecca scolded her and told her not to worry about it. So, Julia started saying her good byes to both Allie and Rebecca.
After their hug, Rebecca asked Julia, "Allie and I are going to make a special meal tomorrow night, to celebrate Nathan's promotion. We would love it if you would join us, Julia."
Allie looked so proud and excited about it, and added in, "Bill's coming too!"
Julia smiled big and said, "Of course, I would love to come. What time?"
Rebecca responded, "6:30 p.m.?"
Julia replied, "Sounds great, Rebecca. I'll be here."
Julia and Gabriel got their things together, and headed towards the door.
Gabriel said his good byes all the way around, he would head back to Brookfield at 8 a.m. in the morning. Nathan said he would come and see Gabe off, Lee would give him a ride into town at 7:30. Gabriel then stepped outside and said, "I'll give you two a minute. I'll be right outside, Julia."
Julia nodded, and when he closed the door behind him, Nathan took her hand. He looked at her so intensely, the butterflies were all over her insides. He placed a feather light kiss on her knuckles and he reached up and tenderly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's actually puzzling that I've not been more tongue-tied around you, Jules." Nathan stated. "It's curious because I find you extremely beautiful." He looked at her a moment, "You are by far the most beautiful woman who has ever been in my life."
She smiled up at him and pulled his hand up to her lips as well. She held his gaze as she placed a gentle kiss on the back of his hand. "And, you, Lawman? What am I to make of you, with your piercing blue eyes and dimpled chin? I don't think you realize what you do to my insides, every time you look at me." He did know, because she had the exact same effect on him.
He smiled at her. "Good night, Jules. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes. Sweet dreams, Lawman." She said, and she slowly let go of his hand, picked up her medical bag, and headed out the door.